Climate change is a global challenge.  In particular, methane is a potent greenhouse gas and, according to the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, accounts for about half of the 1.0 degree Celsius net rise in global average temperature since the pre-industrial era.  Reducing methane emissions is complementary to action on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and regarded as the single most effective strategy to reduce global warming in the near term, keeping the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach. This is why the United States and the European Union created the Global Methane Pledge, committing to a collective goal of reducing global methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.

Despite certain positive changes in legislation in recent years and a desire to move to renewable energy sources, greenhouse gas emissions in Kazakhstan are still high. Kazakhstan is the largest CO2 emitter in Central Asia and is ranked in the global top-20. The main sources of methane in Kazakhstan are from its large fossil-fuel based energy sector, specifically oil, gas and coal, from its large agriculture, and animal husbandry sector, and from waste and other anthropogenic and natural sources. Methane and CO2 emissions are sizeable, but can be addressed as many solutions that can reduce methane emissions already exist and can do so at no net cost. Nevertheless, public awareness of methane sources, impacts, and solutions in Kazakhstan are low. As of now, Kazakhstan has not joined the Global Methane Pledge.

Previous Mission-funded projects have focused on areas such as air pollution and renewable energy, but not specifically on methane.

This funding opportunity seeks projects that will develop climate-conscious behavior and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Kazakhstan, specifically addressing methane.  This approach is expected to engage citizens, academics, opinion leaders, officials, and energy, waste and agribusinesses to produce positive changes through methane emission reduction, more accurately quantify local methane levels, as well as to encourage and incentivize the Government of Kazakhstan to join the Global Methane Pledge.

Project Goal:  Decrease methane emissions in Kazakhstan by increasing the understanding of the role methane plays in climate change, supporting programs to help business reduce emissions, and increasing public support for Kazakhstan to join the Global Methane Pledge.

Possible Project Audiences:

• Civil society activists and researchers.
• Media professionals and opinion leaders who can amplify key messages.
• Members of energy, agricultural/animal husbandry, and waste industries; public officials.

Project Objectives (Applicants may choose to address one or more of the objectives below in their proposals):   

1. Raise awareness of methane emissions through outreach and training to one of the proposed project audiences
2. Increase public understanding and support for methane reduction policies and Kazakhstan’s participation in the Global Methane Pledge through an informational campaign
3. Increase substantive engagement between Kazakhstani civil society and local and regional authorities, as well as energy, agricultural, and waste industry representatives, on reducing methane emissions. This could include support for the development of a policy implementation framework, commitments, or pilot projects to reduce methane emissions